College Council News

Dear Glen Eira College Community,

School Council has convened once again for the 2025 year, and I am greatly appreciative of the fact that the trust has been given to me to lead the School Council once again as President.  There is significant change upon us, as well as much activity around the school construction project and it will no doubt be another busy year.

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge both Sheereen Kindler our immediate past Principal, and Nick Hamer-Smith our current Acting Principal.  Both Sheereen and Nick have been at Glen Eira College for a very long time, and both have been instrumental in forging the fantastic shape that the school is in.  As they leave Glen Eira College, the School Council would like (once again) to say thank you for the tireless work you have both undertaken to advocate on behalf of the students, staff, and school in general.  It has been a pleasure working alongside you both and we wish you well in your future role (Nick) and retirement (Sheereen).

The composition of the 2025 School Council has also changed, and we say goodbye to Marc Lewandowski, Hari Mani, Pranit Praveen, and Sheereen Kindler.  Nick Hamer-Smith will also leave School Council at the end of Term 1. We thank you and acknowledge your contributions and support.

It is also time to formerly welcome our new Councillors: Bruce MacDonald, Nola Woo, Nicole Sternbergs, Simon Campbell, Mark Oudshoorn and Sofia Murrie.  Thank you for putting your hands up to contribute to the Council work.

School Council Office bearers for 2025 are:

President – Stephen Loyer

Vice President – Fiona Murrie

Treasurer – Nola Woo

Special mention and thank you to Issy Arieli our outgoing Treasurer of the past few years.  Issy has provided continuing support to the school and insight with regards the financial management, initiatives, and budgeting.  Thank you for all you have done for the school, and we look forward to your continuation on Council this year.

I mentioned significant change in my first paragraph and to that point as I am sure you are all now aware, Jane Thornton has been appointed the new principal at Glen Eira College.  Jane comes to us from Kew High School where she was previously an Assistant Principal and is currently Acting Principal.  Jane begins her tenure at the start of Term 2, 2025.  Welcome to GEC Jane, and we look forward to working alongside you.

The construction activity for our new building appears at a rushing pace with foundations and some prefabricated panels now in place.  We hold regular meetings with the developers and builders, covering the physical and fiscal parts of the contract to make sure everything is on track for a 2026 completion.  Stay tuned in to the newsletters across 2025 for updates.

As we near the end of Term 1 (wow that happened fast!), we wish you have a safe and enjoyable holiday period.

Stephen Loyer

Glen Eira College Council President